Brook trout raised by JWMS students released into creek

Trout fingerlings, raised from eggs at James Williams Middle School, were released into an Oneida County stream Thursday afternoon. In collaboration with Trout Unlimited, science teachers and their students at JWMS have been participating in a Trout in the Classroom project throughout the school year.

Science teacher Luke Statz said students were involved throughout the year.

JWMS students raised these brook trout from the egg stage. Photo Courtesy SDR.

“As soon as the eggs arrived, they were interested and asking questions. Every day students would come in and go straight to the tank to check on their progress,” Statz said. “Students would assist in water changes and would observe while I checked water quality.”

Statz used a chemistry kit to check the levels of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, dissolved oxygen and pH. He said the students enjoyed watching the tests change color to see if a water change was necessary.

Through raising, monitoring and caring for the young trout, students accomplished one of the program’s main goals – to connect students to their local environments and local watershed.

The JWMS trout were released into the Gudegast Creek near Stella. Statz is shown here releasing the fish Thursday afternoon.

“Students learned about the life cycle of brook trout as well as their habitat and diet,” Statz added. “Overall, the science teachers and students loved being a part of the Trout in the Classroom project, and will absolutely be doing it again in years to come.”